Top Rankings
Novato Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 7,159 students in Novato Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Novato Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
15 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
7,159 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
339 Teachers
268,018 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Novato Unified School District, which is ranked #517 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 91% has increased from 90% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#508 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
29%
Graduation Rate
91%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
6%
12%
% Hispanic
44%
56%
% Black
2%
5%
% White
40%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,010 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,251 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$129 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$138 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,010
$19,974
Spending / Student
$19,251
$18,396
Best Novato Unified School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
755 Sutro Ave.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-5104
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-5104
Grades: K-5
| 458 students
Rank: #22.
San Marin High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
15 San Marin Dr.
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 898-2121
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 898-2121
Grades: 9-12
| 1,186 students
Rank: #33.
Rancho Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1430 Johnson St.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-3101
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-3101
Grades: K-5
| 349 students
Rank: #44.
Olive Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
620 Olive Ave.
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-2131
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-2131
Grades: K-5
| 362 students
Rank: #55.
San Ramon Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
45 San Ramon Way
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-1196
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-1196
Grades: K-5
| 441 students
Rank: #66.
Novato High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
625 Arthur St.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 898-2125
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 898-2125
Grades: 9-12
| 1,393 students
Rank: #77.
Sinaloa Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2045 Vineyard Rd.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-2111
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-2111
Grades: 6-8
| 752 students
Rank: #88.
San Jose Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1000 Sunset Pkwy.
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-7831
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-7831
Grades: 6-8
| 516 students
Rank: #99.
Loma Verde Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
399 Alameda De La Loma
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-4681
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-4681
Grades: K-5
| 414 students
Rank: #1010.
Nova Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
720 Diablo Blvd.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-7653
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-7653
Grades: K-12
| 70 students
Rank: #1111.
Lu Sutton Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Center Rd.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-3196
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-3196
Grades: K-5
| 349 students
Rank: #1212.
Lynwood Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1320 Lynwood Dr.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-4161
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-4161
Grades: K-5
| 259 students
Rank: #1313.
Hamilton Tk-8
(Math: 18% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5530 Nave Dr.
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-4691
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-4691
Grades: K-8
| 522 students
Rank: #1414.
Marin Oaks High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
720 Diablo Ave.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-7653
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-7653
Grades: 9-12
| 88 students
Rank: n/an/a
1430 Johnson St.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 883-3942
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 883-3942
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Novato Unified School District?
Novato Unified School District manages 15 public schools serving 7,159 students.
What is the rank of Novato Unified School District?
Novato Unified School District is ranked #517 out of 1,925 school districts in California (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Novato Unified School District?
44% of Novato Unified School District students are Hispanic, 40% of students are White, 8% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are Asian, and 2% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Novato Unified School District?
Novato Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 21:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.
What is Novato Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $19,251 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.